Message from Bishop Gronberg
Partners in Mission:
We have experienced the shortest possible Advent season this year. When Christmas falls on a Monday it can feel as if Advent, the time of preparation, gets even less notice. Add into that our cultural Christmas in which many congregations of many denominations participate have already moved to Christmas. This season of preparation again gets less time.
Yet sometimes a fleeting time is in fact the most impactful. Knowing there are only so many days to make these preparations perhaps could make us notice them more. To be more alert and aware of the ways we mark the time to Christmas. Our celebrations of St. Nick, the Virgin of Guadalupe, Santa Lucia, the posadas, all become even more notable for us when we count our days. When the fourth candle of the advent wreath will only burn one day. All making the power and wonder of God coming in Christ more stunning and beautiful.
So as you mark these days know you are in my prayers. Especially we remember all our church professionals, clergy, lay authorized leaders, and the multitude of volunteers who make these celebrations happen. May you have a blessed Christmas and a Joyful New Year.
In Christ,
Bishop Gronberg
ELCA November Mission Support Memo
ELCA Mission Support is excited to share their November Mission Support Memo. This month the memo highlights how Mission Support empowers us to be church together, hearing from the Rev. Jonathan Hemphill, assistant to the bishop for congregational life with the Southeastern Synod, on how it allows the goodness of God to flow beyond ourselves, our own congregations, and out into our communities and around the world. It also highlights how to access valuable Stewardship video resources and ends by sharing how grateful they are for the ways we stay connected.
What a joy it is to know Mission Support is at work across our church: serving folks on the margins, growing leaders, supporting ministry, and engaging us all in our local communities, national church and global work. These stories are a reminder of what is possible through the generosity towards Mission Support.
Featured Resources for December
Our friends at Compassionate Christianity offer an extensive array of FREE resources, such as Personal Nourishment and Spiritual Practices, Family and Pastoral Resources, Compassion in Action (including a partnership with How to Heal Our Divides), and so much more:
Resources for the Compassionate Christian Community
“Inclusive, welcoming, and affirming resources, reflecting the compassion Jesus modeled for us.”
Where in the world is?
NT-NL synod staff are excited to engage in-person on Sundays for worship. As good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats in our new hybrid reality when possible. If you would like to schedule a meeting with the bishop or Synod staff please contact them directly.
Bishop Gronberg:
Dec 20: Staff Christmas Lunch
Pastor Totzke:
Dec 20: Staff Christmas Lunch
Dec 24: Trinity, Sherman
Jan 2-7: Vacation
Jan 13-14: St. Stephen, Shreveport
Jan 21: First Call Pastors Check-in, Zoom
Jan 26-27: Discernment Retreat, Synod Office
Jan 27: PLMA Graduation, Good Shepherd, Irving
Pastora Bañales:
Dec 20: Staff Christmas Lunch
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- Jan 4: Cultivating Compassion Session 12: Finite and Infinite Games , Zoom
- Jan 4: Transitional Pastors Meeting, Zoom
- Jan 5-7: Youth Peer Ministry Leadership Training, Calvary, Richland Hills
- Jan 13: Public Witness Team Meeting, Zoom
- Jan 27: Parish Lay Ministry Academy Graduation, Good Shepherd, Irving
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.